‘Radio Golf’ borders on perfection
by Alec Clayton
Originally published in The News Tribune
(Tacoma) Jan. 27, 2006
If
there’s such a thing as a perfect play, it’s August Wilson’s “Radio
Golf,” which opened at the Seattle Repertory Theatre Wednesday night. From the
beautiful gritty set designed by David Gallo and built by the Rep stage crew, to
the acting of Wilson’s funny and heart-rending script, there is not a thing
about this play that doesn’t deserve praise.
“Radio
Golf,” is the last play in Wilson’s ten-play
cycle chronicling the African American experience in the 20th century. The Rep
had already produced all but one of the other nine plays in the cycle, so when
it became clear that Wilson, who lived his final 10 years in Seattle, was dying,
they knew they had to stage this one.
In
order to bring Wilson’s play home to Seattle for its Northwest premiere, the
Rep had to reschedule Neil Simon’s “Rewrites” for the 2006-2007 season.
At
the time that decision was made, “Radio Golf” was in rehearsals for its L.A.
run and Wilson had just been diagnosed with cancer. He passed away in October
2005. Kenny Leon, who directs the Seattle performance, was working on rewrites
with Wilson at the time and continued to work closely with him throughout the
run in Los Angeles.
The
Rep’s version of the play is the first to include Wilson’s last revisions. "After
August felt it was done, and he was happy with it," Leon said, "we
didn't have time to make all the changes in L.A. Now the actors have a chance to
catch up with the play."
Original cast members Anthony
Chisolm, John Earl Jelks and James A. Williams reprise their roles for the
Seattle Rep run. They are joined by Denise Burse (“An American Daughter”)
and Rocky Carroll (“The Piano Lesson”). The entire cast is stunning.
Wilson’s cycle of plays
center on the Hill District of Pittsburgh, an historic black neighborhood that,
by the late1990s when this play is set, is on its last legs as a blighted
neighborhood. Harmond Wilks (Carroll) is a real estate developer who is running
for Mayor of Pittsburgh. He and his partner, Roosevelt Hicks (Williams) have big
plans to revitalize the neighborhood by building a large complex with retail
stores at street level and apartments above. A major hitch is thrown into their
plans when an old man, Elder Joseph Barlow (Chisolm) decides to refurbish his
old family home so his daughter can move in. The old house sits smack in the
middle of the block Wilks and Hicks are planning on razing for their
development.
Their story is told with heart
and with humor. Lots of humor.